Fishing the Oil Rigs Filled with Surprises

Fishing the Oil Rigs Filled with Surprises

By Craig Lamb

The wahoo clears the surface after slamming your lure on the first cast. On the next, it’s a deep charging run of a grouper. Your fishing buddy puts another snapper into the cooler. You make another cast, not knowing what might bite next.

All of the above can happen in a matter of minutes and from the same fishing spot. Sound unrealistic? It’s as real as it gets with oil rig fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and specifically, in south Louisiana.

If you like surprises, and who doesn’t, a trip to Venice is well worth it. The most fertile fishing grounds in the U.S. are located here. The magic happens in the marshes and inshore waters where the mighty Mississippi River infuses the saltwater environment with nutrients.

What stands out about oil rig fishing is the variety. You can sight cast to surface feeding fish, work baits at midrange or go deep dropping. From shallow water reef fish to the biggest species of the deep it all happens around the oil rigs.

The oasis of offshore habitat in the open seas is the reasons why oil rigs are so prolific with game fish species. The rigs provide refuge for baitfish and other species that are fed upon by pelagics.

Snapper, amberjack, grouper, lemonfish, redfish, shark, tuna, wahoo and marlin. You stand a good chance of checking one or more off your bucket list of saltwater game fish species.

You’ll use the best and latest tackle when aboard the boats. The gear can stand up to the toughest pelagic species in the seas, such as premium 30w and 50w stand-up gear and Shimano reels with Seeker Rods. For really deep fish the boats have Hooker electric reels.

You will ride and fish in luxury from 36’ Yellowfin 36 boats designed for smooth, dry rides in the blue water, and powered by a trio of fast, dependable 300-horsepower Yamaha outboards. What that means for you is a boat that skims across the water at 50 mph or more. You will be first to the best fishing while arriving safely. You will fish from Shearwater and Skeeter boats for inshore trips.

If a late summer oil rig trip is in your plans then now is the time to book the trip. Wait much longer and the action will slow down with the cooler temperatures.

Want to know more about Home Run Charters? Check out the website at homeruncharters.com. Find out more about the inshore fishing, including rates, by clicking here. To get updated fishing reports, conditions and just chat with someone at Home Run Charters, call (504) 982-8862.

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Virtually every angler on the water these days is well aware that boat docks hold bass throughout the year. However, not all anglers approach dock fishing with the correct tackle and strategy to make the most of their time on the water. Fine-tuning your approach by reaching all fish-holding zones and identifying patterns can definitely lead to higher catch rates and bigger fish. Read More…
Learn More at Z Man Fishing

After the Strike World record-holders will quickly agree there is much more to skilled angling than simply finding and hooking a fish. The battle, especially with large, powerful game fish, Read More…
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Take the Trip of a Life Time
Take a short drive south of New Orleans, and you come to the southernmost point in Louisiana. It’s Venice and being at the end of the road is just the beginning of your trip for world-class yellowfin tuna fishing
Visit Home Run Charters

Live bait rigged to stay on or near the surface is enticing as well. Predators push bait to the top during an attack, so a nervous morsel suspended under a kite, balloon or cork is always easy pickings. Baits hooked through the nose, or dorsal fin will stay near the surface whereas those hooked in the stomach or lower tail tend to swim downward. Trolled baits and lures serve the same purpose. The combination of splashing and bubbles, often in conjunction with teasers, help draw the game fish into the surface strike zone Read More…